Bob Rogers will represent Nanoose Bay for the next four years on the Regional District of Nanaimo’s board of directors after a convincing election victory Saturday.

Rogers won the seat with 687 votes. Gordon Wiebe placed second with 400 votes and Ed Mayne third with 359 votes.

“My campaign was long and tiring and hard work, it involved a lot of door knocking and discussions,” Rogers said Saturday night after the results were in. “I’m thankful to the residents in Nanoose for supporting me and it’s my intension to provide accountability and work hard on their behalf in a balanced way.”

Rogers spoke a little on Saturday night about his priorities as the new director.

“One priority for all of Nanoose Bay is to bring resolution to longer term sustainable water services in an equitable, cost effective way,” said Rogers. “I want to work with colleagues from Parksville and the RDN to gain federal and provincial support. It’s essential we develop a new intake and water treatment system for the ERWS to reduce our reliance on groundwater.”

Incumbents won both of the other regional district elections in this region by wide margins (Joe Stanhope was acclaimed in French Creek).

“The nightmare is over,” Fell told The NEWS Saturday night. “It (the election) was a distraction. I’m glad it’s over and can get back to business. By Area F standards this was the most lacklustre campaign in 20 years.”

“It’s really cool, an affirmation, I’m pleased and we’re going to go forward,” Veenhof said Saturday night. “It’s exciting and a relief, not in my wildest dreams did I expect an 80 per cent margin. My opponent Donald Mussell ran an honourable campaign — he said he would take the high road and he did. He should be proud.”

Veenhof was also asked about his priorities.

“I want to spend the next few days thinking about things I learned along the campaign trail knocking on doors talking to people,” he said. “There were some big surprises talking with people. There seemed to be universal support for more transit. People want to see transit going both north and south. I also want to maintain transparency and work on getting more young people here, which is inherently linked to more jobs and development.”

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